Signal.



No. 841,767. PATENTBD JAN. 22, 1907,

E. .J. common.

. SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1905.

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THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGTON, o. c.

No. 841,767. PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907. E'. 1. GONDON.

' SIGNAL. APPLIUATION FILED NOV:13, 1905.

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PATENTED JAN. 22,-1907. E. J. GONDON.

SIGNAL. APPLIGATION FILED NOV 1'3, 1905.

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THE nbwms PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

No. 841,767. PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907. E.J.GONDON.

v NAL- APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 13, 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No. 841,767. f PATENTED' JAN. 22, 1907.

E.-J. coupon.

SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED N( )V. 13. 1905.

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. EDWARD J. UONDON';

OF DIXON, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 1907.

Application filed November 13, 1905. Serial No- 287,208.

To (1.71], whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. CoNDoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dixon, in the county of Lee and State of Illi-. nois. (whosepost-office address is Dixon, Illinois,) have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Railway-Signals, of which the the passage following is aspecification.

My invention relates to signals and signal systems, relatingparticularly to railroadsignals, with special reference to that class ofsignals which are automatically actuated by of the railway-train.

My invention is particularly adapted for employment in connection withwhat is known as the block-signal" system.

I have found by experience that the efficiency of electrically-thrownsignals for railway service is frequently impaired, due to the shortcircuits caused. by the accumulation of water or ice or to other causesand also due to the fact that the "mechanism of the signals must be sodelicately adjusted that the same readily becomes disarranged.

The signals which are operated wholly by mechanical means mustnecessarily be constructed so large and the quantity of mate rialrequired rendered so great that their op. eration in blocks or series issubstantially impossible.

It is one of the objects of my present invention to combine theadvantages of mechanically-operated signals and electricallyoperatedsignals, eliminating the undesirable features of each,'and to this end Iprovide a system in which the signals are actuated by mechanical means,while electrical means are employed for the purpose of signalcommunication.

My invention contemplates a system comprising a plurality ofindependentlyactuated signals so connected that the release of one iseffected through the actuation of thenext succeeding signal. g

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ fluid-pressure forsetting the signal and electrically-operated. --means for releasing thesame when the next succeeding signal is actuated. Generally speaking, myinvention comprises a signal actuated through the medium of thefluid-pressure supplied by the passing. of the train, an automatic lockforretaining ,the signal in the position to. which it haSJbeen moved bysaid fluid-pressure, and electrically-operated means for operating saidlock to release the .is a rear view of the .in ayertical plane.

signal when the next succeeding signal has been actuated by the train.

I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of thesignal embodying my invention, showingthe position of the car or trainrelative to the signalactuating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a sectional view ofthe fluid-compressor, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a planview of the fluid-compressor. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, withthe parts thereof in section. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the device carried by thecar for operating the fluidcom ressor device. Fig. 7 is a plan view ofthe evice. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is adetail view showing the catch for locking the operating device carriedby the car in position. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of the top ofthesignal, showing the operating mechanism, the casing of the signalbeing shown in section. Fig. 11

part shown in Fig. 6, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 12 is aplan view of the part shown in Fig. 6, the casing being shown insection. Fig. 13 is a detail view of the cam carried on thesemaphore-shaft. Fig. 14 1s a front elevation of the box containing thedevice for rendering the signal inoperative. Fig. 15 is a sectional viewtaken on line 15 15 of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken online 16 16 of Fig. 14. Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the valve forrendering the signal-actuating means inoperative. Fig. 18 is atransverse sectional view taken on the line 18 18 of Fig. 15. Fig. 19 isa sectional view taken on line 19 19'of Fig. 18 looking in the directionof the arrow. Fig. 20 is a section taken on the same line looking in theopposite direction. Fig. 21 is a section taken on line 21 21 ofFig. 19,and Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit arrangement ofmydevice when the same is used in a block system.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention upon a suitable post orstandard 1 I mount a box or casing 2, having journaled in the sidesthereof a shaft 3, which extends through the casing and has one endprojecting beyond one side of the same for supporting a semaphore-arm 4.This arm is of the usual construction and is so keyed upon the shaftthatrotating of the shaft rocks the arm A crank-arm 5 for oper- LII atingthe shaft 3 is keyed upon the same upon the inside of the casing and hasits outer end connected by a link 6 with the end of a rod 7 of thepiston 8, an opening 9 being formed in the bottom of the casing topermit the passage of the link. The piston 8 operates in avertically-arranged cylinder 10, secured in any deslred manner upon thestandard 1 and within a casing 11, which extends from the bottom ofeasing 2 and completely incloses the cylinder. By this arrangement ofthe casings 2 and 11 all the operative parts of the semaphore areentirely inclosed and protected against the elements. Normally thepiston 8 is near the bottom of its cylinder 10, and when in thisposition the outer end of the semaphore-arm is down or in a safetyposition. When the piston is forced up In its cylinder, it rocks the arm5 through the link connection 6 and raises the outer end of thesemaphore-arm 4 to place the arm in a hori zontal or danger position. 1

Fluid-pressure is supplied to the cylinder for operating the piston 8through a pipe 12, which connects with the bottom of the cylinder andextends through the cut-out box 13 to the air-compressor 14. Thecompressor is preferably operated by the passing of the train and tothis end comprises a cylinder 15, arranged horizontally and in proximityto the tracks, arr d a piston 16, which is operated by the passage ofthe train. The cylinder 15 is carried at one end by a vertical support17, which forms one of the ends of the cylinder and extends upwardlyfrom a suitable base 18. At the opposite end of the base 18 is a secondvertical support 19, which has an opening 20 therein concentric with anopening 21 in the support 17, and in these two openings operates the rod22 of the piston 16. The piston 16 has the usual leather collar, whichcollapses as the piston is moved to the left and allows the air to passto the front of the piston. As soon as the piston moves forward thecollar expands and the air admitted through the ports 15 and past thepiston is compressed.

The upper side of the cylinder 15 is preferably flattened and hassecured thereon a pair of guide-bars 24, channeled on their under sides,as at 25, to form a channel in which operates the reciprocating bar 26.This bar extends the length of the cylinder and the base 18, having itsrear end supported in guides 27 on the support 19, and is connected atan intermediate point with the piston-rod 22 by a downwardly-projectinglug 28, provided with an opening 29, through which the rod 22 passes.Collars 30 are secured upon the piston-rod 22 upon either side of thelug 28, whereby the piston 16 will reciprocate with the bar 26. A buffer31 is interposed between the lug 28 and support 17 to take up the arresulting from the return of the rod to its normal position by thecoil-spring 32,

mounted upon the piston-rod 22 and inter posed between the support 19and the lug 28. I The bar 26 is moved rearwardly by the engagement witha vertical roller 33, carried upon a pin 34, mounted upon the forwardend thereof, by a member carried upon the engine or one of the cars. Toprevent the pin from becoming bent and to aid in holding the samerigidly, I provide a rearwardlyextending brace 35, fastened at one endto the upper end of the pin and bolted at its opposite end to the bar26.

le any form of contacting device may be employed upon the car forreciprocating the bar 26, I preferably provide an arm or rod 36, havingits forward and rear ends turned inwardly and bent to form the pivotpins37, which are mounted in blocks 38 and 39, secured upon a base-plate 40,which in turn is adapted to be secured to the truck of the car. Theinturned portion 41 of the arm is longer than the opposite portion,whereby the arm will incline outwardly. By pivotally mounting the armupon its base when it is not in use it may be raised, as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 6, the portion 41 being adapted to fit within a verticalgroove 42 formed in the block 39. A cam 43, pivoted to the block 39 andprovided with a catch 44 serves to hold the arm either in its operativeor inoperative position, and a support 45, on which the portion 41rests, supports the arm when it is dropped down to operative position.

In operation as the car passes the signal the arm 36 engages the roller33 and forces the bar 26 rearward, and with it the pistonrod 22 andpiston 16, against the action of the coiled spring 32. As soon as theroller is released from engagement with the arm 36 the coiled springforces the bar 26, and with it the piston 16, forward, compressing theair and forcing the same through the port 46 in the forward end of thecylinder and through the pipe 12 to the cylinder 10. This raises thepiston, which by the link 6 and arm 5 rocks the shaft 3 to raise thesemaphore-arm 4 to a danger position, where it is held by a lock untilthe train passes out of the block controlled by the signal.

It will be understood that while I have described air as being the fluidunder pressure for operating my device other fluids, such as water oroil, may be used, if so desired.

Mounted upon shaft 3, and preferably formed integrally with the hub ofthe arm 5, is a rea'rwardlyextending lug 47, which is adapted to beengaged by a catch 48, carried upon the vertical arm 49 of a bell-cranklever pivoted at 50 between the two vertical uprights 51, supported upona plate 52, secured to the bottom of the casing 2. The end of thehorizontal arm 53 of the bell-crank lever has connected thereto the core54 of a solen- 01d 55, carried by the bracket 56, secured to the side ofthe casing 2, and when current is admitted to the winding of saidsolenoid, causing the same to attract or raise its core, the bell-cranklever will be operated to cause the catch 48 to release the lug 47 andpermit the arm 4 to fall.

A second bell-crank lever is pivoted at 57 between the uprights 51, thehorizontal arm 58 of which has a weight 59 secured at its outer end. Thevertical arm 60 of the bellcrank lever is provided with aninwardlyprejecting V-shaped shoulder 61, which is adapted to be engagedby the double cam 62, carried upon the lug- 47. The arm 60 and the arm49 each carry spring-contacts 63 and 64, respectively. The cam 62 is soarranged that as the semaphorearm is moved up by its piston the lug willbe moved downwardly. and due to the fact that the arm is violentlythrown up past the horizontal the cam will be moved entirely below theshoulder 61., permitting the contact'63 to engage the contact 64 for ashort period until the arm drops back to normal, when the cam willengage the shoulder 61, separating the contacts, and at the same'timethe catch 48 will engage over the lug 47, holding the semaphore-armagainst further downward movement.

The semaphore-signals are arranged to be used in series andthe magnets55thereof are arranged in a normally open circuit, so that the arm 4 willafter it has been moved up remain at a danger position. until the trainhas passed the next succeeding semaphore andv operated the same. Theoperation of this signal will cause the contacts 63 and 64 thereof toclose, as has just been described, thereby momentarily closing thecircuit through the solenoid 55 of the preceding signal, which willcause the same to raise the core 54 and move the arm 49 of thebell-crank lever-to re lease the catch 48, permitting the semaphorearmto drop down to safety position.

My signals, as previously described, are arranged to be used in seriesinwhat is known as the block system,/ and in order that any one of thesignals may be cut out of service in the pipe 12 at a point intermediateof the cylinder 10 and the cylinder 15 I provide a valve 65, operatingin a chamber 66. This chamber 66 is connected at one end to that portionof the pipe 12 which leads to the cylinder 10 and communicates when theopenm tidn through said opening with the portion of the pipe which leadsto the cylinder 15. When the valve is in this position, the signal isoperative. By turning the valve so that the opening 67 connects theportion of the pipe which leads to the cylinder 15 with the port 68leading to the atmosphere the signal is rendered inoperative, as "thecompressed air will then instead of passing to the cylinder 10 foroperating the semaphore-signal es-. cape to the atmosphere. The valve is64, and by conductor 67 of the valve is turned in proper posimountedupon a suitable shaft journaled in the casing 69, and at one end of thisshaft is carried a suitable signal 7 O, which when the semaphore-signalis rendered inoperative indicates such a fact. Upon the end of the shaftopposite that which carries the signal 70 an operating-handle 71 isprovided, and this handle also carries contacts 72 and 7 3, whichcontacts are arranged to engage the terminals 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and79, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out. These terminals aresuitably mounted upon a bracket 80, which is supported within a casingor cutout box 13. This cut-out box also contains the cut-out valve forrendering the signal inoperative and is so provided that all the valveparts of the cut-out are inclosed and protected against injury, anopening 81 being provided therein through which the signal 70 may pass,a door 82 being also provided whereby access may be obtained to thehandle 71 for operating the cut-out] In Fig. 22 I have illustrateddiagramatically a circuit arrangement for the electrical portion of aseries of semaphores in the block system. In this figure, A will be usedto designate the first semaphoresignal; B, the second semaphore signal;C, the' third semaphore-signal; D, the fourth semaphore; signal, and Ethe fifth semaphore signal. The signal A does not necessarily have to beprovided with contacts 63 and 64, as there is no preceding signal to bedropped upon the passage of the train thereby. It is, however,- providedwith a solenoid-magnet 55 foroperating the release. One terminal of thismagnet is connected by ccnductor 83 with one terminal of the battery 84.The opposite terminal of the magnet 55 is connected by conductor 85 withthe contact 63 of the signal B, and the opposite terminal of the battery84 is connected by conductor 86 with the contact 64 of the signal B. Itwill therefore be seen that as soon as the signal B is operated,permitting the two contacts 63and 64 to come into engagement, circuitwill be closed from the battery 84 by conductor 83 through the magnet 55of the signal A, by conductor 85 to contact 63, thence to contact 86back to the opposite side of the battery 84. circuit, as beforementioned, permits the magnet 55 to attract the arm 53, causing thecatch 48 on the arm 49 of the bell-crank lever to release thesemaphore-arm 4 of the signal A. The conductor 85 has a branch 87, whichis connected with the terminal 78 of the switch of the cut-out for thesignal B, and the conductor 86 has a branch 88 connected with theterminal 79 of the switch of the cut-out for the signal B. Themagnet-windings 55 of the signal B have one terminal connected byconductor 89 with the terminal 75 of the cut-out switch, and theopposite terminal of the magnet 55 of the signal B is connected by Theclosing of this conductor with the terminal 76 of the cutout switch. Theterminal 77 of the cut-out switch is connected by conductor 90 with oneside of the battery 92, and the terminal 74 of the switch is connectedby conductor 93 with the contact 63 of the signal C, the contact 64thereof being connected by conductor 55- with the opposite side of thebattery 92. By this arrangement when the signal is operated and thecut-out switch is in its normal position, when. the signal 0 is operatedthe contact-terminals 63 and 64 temporarily make contact and circuit isclosed from one terminal of the battery, over conductor 91, to theterminal 77 of the cut-out switch, then across the contact 73 toterminal 76, thence by conductor 90 through the windings 55 of theswitch B, by conductor 89 to the terminal 75, across the contact 72 tothe terminal 74, thence by conductor 93 to contact 63 of the signal C,the contact 64, and thence by conductor to the opposite side of thebattery 92. This energizes the winding of the magnet 55, which attractsthe arm 53 and causes the catch 48 to release the semaphore-arm 4 of thesignal B. In event it is desired to cut out the signal B between thesignal C and the signal A, the cut-out switch is-moved until thecontacts7 2 and 73 connect the terminals 74, 75, and 78 and 79, 76, and77. Under these circum stances the circuit when the contacts 63 and 64of signal 0 are operated will be closed from the battery 92 by conductor91 to the terminal 77, thence across the contact 73 to the terminal 79,thence by conductor 88 through the battery 84 by conductor 83, throughthe windings of the magnet 55 of the signal A by conductors 85 and 87 tothe terminals 78, across the contact 72 to terminal 7 4, by conductor 93to the contact 63, and by contact 64 and conductor 55 to the oppositeside of the battery92. In this manner the signalB is cut out of service,as there is a normally closed branch circuit established to the magnet55 thereof, whereby the magnet will always be a permanently energizedand render the catch 48 of the signal B inoperative. Having thusdescribed my invention, it will be of course understood that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spiritthereof, and I do not wish to be limited to the specific details ofconstruction as illustrated and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Ina device of the character described, the combination with asemaphore-arm, of a lock for holding said arm in its thrown position, aswitch member carried by said lock, a

second switch member havinga tendency to move toward saidfirst-mentioned switch member, means carried by said arm to norm allyhold said switch members apart and to permit the same to momentarilyengage when the arm is thrown. I

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with asemaphore-arm, having a rearwardly-extending projection car riedthereby, a latch for engaging said projection when the arm is thrown, aswitch member carried by said latch, and a second switch member having atendency to move toward said first member, said projection beingarranged to hold said members apart and to permit the same tomomentarily engage when the arm is thrown.

3. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a signal of a motor 0p erated by fluid-pressure foractuating said signal and carried by the support for said signal, acompressor, a spring for operating said compressor, means operated bythe passage of the train for storing energy in said spring, and aconnection extending between said compressor and said motor fortransmitting the fluid under pressure to said motor. 4. In a device ofthe character described, the combination with a semaphore-arm, of agravity-catch for retaining said arm in its thrown position, anelectromagnet in a normally open circuit for causing the release of saidarm, and a switch operated by the neXt succeeding semaphore-arm formomentarily closing the circuit through said magnet.

5.' In a device of the character described, the combination with aseries of signals each having means operatedby fluid under pressureforthrowing the same to the dangerpoint means operated by the passage ofthe train for supplying fluid under pressure, means for retaining saidsignals in their danger position, means for releasing'said signal whenanother of said series of signals is operated, and means for renderingany one of said signals inoperative without rendering the re mainingsignals inoperative.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of signals arranged in series each having means operated byfluid-pressure for throwing the same to the danger-point and meansoperated by the passage of the train for supplying fluid under pressure,means for retaining each signal in its thrown position, means operatedby the passage of the train past another of the sig nals in series forreleasing the signal, means for cutting out any one of said signals andmeans whereby when one of said signals is cut out the signal immediatelypreceding the same will be so connected with the signal iminediatelysucceeding the same that the operating of the succeeding signal b thepassage of the train will release the preceding signal.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of signals arranged in series each having means operated byfluid-pressure for throwing the same diately' preceding the same will beso connected with the signal immediately succeeding the same that theoperating of the succeeding signal by the passage of the train willrelease the preceding signal.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of signals arranged in series each having means operated byfluid-pressure for throwing said signals, means operated by the passageof the train for supplying fluid under pressure means for retaining saidsignal in a thrown position, an electrically-controlled means forreleasing said signal arranged to be operated by the throwing of anotherof the signals in the series, means for rendering any one of the signalsin the series inoperative, and means operated by said last mentionedmeans whereby when the signal immediately preceding the same is thrown,it will remain thrown until the signal immediately succeeding the sameis operated by the passage of the train.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with asignal, of a cylinder having a spring-actuated piston and'arranged inproximity to the tracks, an auxiliary cylinder having a tubularconnection with said first-mentioned cylinder and arranged in proximityto said signal and a connection between said auxiliary cylinder and thesignal.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with asignal, of a pair of cylinders one arranged in proximity to said signaland the other arranged in proximity to the tracks; the cylinder inproximity to the'tracks having a spring-actuated pistonrod having meansoperated by the passing of the train for causing said piston to beactuated for placing fluid under pressure means whereby thefluid-pressure will be delivered to the other cylinder, and meanswhereby said first-mentioned cylinder will operate the signal.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of semaphore-arms arranged in series each having means forrocking the same upon the passage ofthe train, means for retaining thesame in a substantially horizontal position, an elec tromagnet foroperating said retaining means to release said arms, and means operatedby the rocking of the arm of said signals for closing the circuitthrough the electromagnet of the receding signal.

12. n a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of semaphore-arms arranged in series, means for operating eachone of said arms as the train passes the same, means for retaining saidarms in their operated position, electrically-o erated means forreleasing said signals, an means operated by the next preceding arm forclosing the circuit of said electrically-operated means of the armpreviously passed by the train. r

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with aplurality of signals arranged in series of means operated by fluid underpressure for throwing said signals, means for retaining said signals intheir thrown position, a releasing-magnet for each of said signals in anormally open circuit, means for rendering any one of said signalsinoperative, and means operated by said means for connecting the nextpreceding releasing-magnet in a circuit including the releasing-magnetof the next succeeding signal.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with asignal, of means operated by fluid under pressure for throwing saidsignal, a fluid-compressor for supplying fluid to said means, comprisinga cylinder, a piston, a spring for moving said piston in a direction tocompress the fluid, a reciprocat ing arm connected with said piston andmeans carried by the train for operating said arm to move the piston inan opposite direction. 1

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with asignal, of means operated by fluid under pressure for throwing saidsignal, a compressor for supplying said means with fluid under pressure,and comprising a cylinder, a piston operating in said cylinder, a springfor moving said cylinder in one direction a reciprocating arm connectedwith said piston for moving the same in the opposite direction, and aninclined arm carried by the rolling-stock for engaging saidreciprocating arm for operating the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWVARD J. CONDON.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS L. BARRY, JOHN H. BYERS.

